Spawning kinetics and egg/larval quality of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) in response to multiple GnRHa injections or implants

Abstract

The greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is one of the most promising finfish species for aquaculture, due to its cosmopolitan distribution and acceptability, high growth rates and large size. However, lack of reproduction control has been one of the main bottlenecks for its commercialization. The study examined two endocrine methods for the induction of oocyte maturation/ovulation and spawning, which are based on the induction of endogenous Luteinizing Hormone (LH) release from the pituitary, through the use of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone agonist (GnRHa) either in the form of sustained-release delivery systems (implants) or injections (acute release). The stock (n = 28) consisted of wild fish captured in 2011 and each GnRHa administration method was conducted in two replicates, with 6 and 8 fish per tank, respectively, at a 1:1 sex ratio. Fish were given a GnRHa injection once a week (three administrations), or a GnRHa implant every 2 weeks (two administrations). Mean daily relative fecundity was significantly higher (t_1.3 = -5.24, P = 0.012) in the implanted fish (15,170 ± 2,738 eggs kg^-1 female day^-1) compared to the injected fish (6,119 ± 2,790 eggs kg^-1 female day^-1). Total relative fecundity was also significantly higher (t_1.3 = -9.93, P = 0.003) in the implanted fish (102,402 ± 20,337 eggs kg^-1 female) compared to the injected ones (26,517 ± 9,938 eggs kg^-1 female), but there were no differences in the quality of eggs in terms of fertilization, 24-h embryo survival, hatching and 5-d larval survival. The number of females with fully vitellogenic oocytes eligible for induction of spawning decreased from the initial to the final sampling, from 7 to 6 females for the GnRHa implant treatment and from 7 to 3 females for the GnRHa injection treatment. In addition to apparently promoting the proper endocrine changes leading to multiple cycles of oocyte maturation, ovulation and spawning, and thus producing larger numbers of eggs; the use of GnRHa implants may be more appropriate in greater amberjack than multiple injections because (a) it also stimulates vitellogenesis and (b) involves less handling of the fish.

Keywords: Egg quality; GnRHa implants; Greater amberjack; Induced spawning; Seriola dumerili.